RENEWABLES WILL ADD A$1.9 TRILLION TO ECONOMY: AUSTRALIA SHOULD GRAB ITS SHARE OF THE BOOM

A study by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) released yesterday reveals renewable energy could deliver $A1.9 trillion of benefits to the global economy by 2030, sparking new jobs and opportunities for economic growth. https://goo.gl/eCKg3F

IRENA found renewable energy targets are now in place in 164 countries and the sector already employs about 9.2 million people globally.

Solar Citizens Campaigns Director, Dan Scaysbrook, said the IRENA report shows that the potential benefits of the solar revolution is massive but the government needs to deliver reforms to ensure Australia claims its share of investment and jobs.

“Renewable energy is powering ahead -- A$1.9 trillion worth of benefits is an incredible step for showing the power of renewables to generate wealth and employment, while lowering the cost of electricity and producing cleaner energy,” he said.

“The Turnbull Government must seize the opportunity to put Australia on a pathway to the clean energy future supported by the majority of Australians.

“It’s time our Government woke up to the fact that business and community are 10 steps ahead of them, and we need to catch up fast.

“Australians want political leadership that can deliver cleaner, cheaper energy from solar.

“The report shows solar PV was the largest creator of jobs, accounting for 2.5 million jobs worldwide in 2014. Here on the sunniest continent on earth, the majority of Australians want to see more solar and renewables, not less.

“Australians want obstacles to further investment in household solar removed including an end to unfair solar taxes, a fair price for solar electricity exported to the grid and stopping attempts by the big power companies to hold back battery storage.

“A strong, healthy economy relies on renewable energy, we need the Turnbull government to invest more in renewable and solar and make sure Australia grabs our share of this global boom,” Mr Scaysbrook said.